Helen (Swanson) Bothwell-Himes

Helen Bothwell-Himes, 99, made her heavenly ascension on September 17, 2017. Born August 5, 1918 to Harry and Caroline Swanson in Omaha, Nebraska, Helen was a child of the depression and desperate times split the family. Her father took a traveling sales job and her mother took Helen and her sister to New York City to live with family.

Helen attended Chase School of Business in New York and entered the secretarial field, working at a large firm on Park Avenue. Around this time, World War II was underway and Helen’s parents had reunited and moved to California. Helen moved to California be near her family and lived with her sister and brother-in-law for a while.

During World War II, Helen worked for the Air Transportation Command (Army Air Corps), and was stationed at Long Beach and Palm Springs. Helen was ambitious, always wanting to improve her skills. She attended night school and received a certificate in Patent Law. After the war, she worked for fourteen years with the Patent Counsel of North American Aviation as a Patent Office Assistant. She later became Administrative Assistant to William “Bill” Lear at Lear, Inc. which was the original enterprise that produced the Lear Jet aircraft.

In 1956 Helen met and married Francis Dale Bothwell. Separately, they both had enjoyed important work in California, however, they decided to make the move to Sedona, Arizona. They purchased the Pronto Press, a graphic-art printing shop, which they ran together for sixteen years. They both enjoyed doing civic work in the community. Helen and Dale were never able to have children. They were avid dog lovers and took great delight in the many dogs they had during their life together. Among them were Trudgee, Charlie, McPheeter, and Molly, to name a few. Helen worked with the Paws on Parade in Sedona, always dressing herself and her dog for the occasion.

In 1991 they retired and moved to Sierra Vista. They both loved to travel and made trips to England, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Scotland and Canada. However, Helen’s favorite was seeing the Bothwell Castle in Scotland Tragically, in 2000 her marriage of forty-four years ended when Dale died suddenly. Six years later, Helen met and married Delbert Himes. Unfortunately, Delbert had health issues and spent most of the time in nursing homes. Helen was faithful in caring for him throughout this time, and reached their second anniversary prior to his death.

Helen moved to Mountain View Gardens in 2011, where she resided until her death. She made many friends there and loved “dressing up in character” for the theme activities and holiday events. In Helen’s active years, she wrote the new member biographies for the church, she was part of the Nursing Home Ministry, and she loved helping with the Valentine Luncheon given for the nursing home residents.

Helen was a loving person who never met a stranger and loved entertaining, doing dinners and afternoon teas in her home. Helen was an amazing woman and will be missed.

Helen was preceded in death by her father, mother, sister, Rose Marie Hindley, brother-in-law, Edwin Hindley, and her husbands, Francis Dale Bothwell and Delbert R. Himes. Helen is survived by many close friends, the staff and residents of Mountain View Gardens, and her loving church family at Faith Presbyterian Church where she was a member.

The Memorial service for Helen will be included in the All Saints Sunday worship service on November 5, 2017 at 10:30 AM. Following the worship service, she will be interred in the Faith Columbarium. The celebration of Helen’s life will continue with a luncheon in Stevenson Fellowship Hall. Friends who are unable to attend the worship service may come at noon to share in lunch and share their remembrances.

The Women’s Army Corp Veterans will hold a final salute ceremony. Memorial gifts may be sent to Faith Presbyterian Church, 2053 E. Choctaw, Sierra Vista, AZ 85650. For directions, please call the church office, 520-378-9400.

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